A breach, as defined by the Department of Defense (DOD), is a broader concept than a breach defined by Health and Human Services (HHS). While the HHS definition of a breach focuses on the unauthorized access of protected health information (PHI), the DOD definition encompasses any unauthorized access, use, or disclosure of any information held by the federal government. Understanding the differences between the two definitions is essential for both organizations and individuals to ensure compliance with the applicable regulations.
Definition of Breach by DOD
The DOD defines a breach as any unauthorized access, use, or disclosure of any information held by the federal government. This includes both sensitive and non-sensitive information. This definition is broader than the HHS definition, which focuses solely on the unauthorized access of protected health information (PHI).
The DOD’s definition of a breach is outlined in the agency’s Information Security Program (ISP). This document states that any unauthorized access, use, or disclosure of any information held by the federal government is considered a breach. This includes both sensitive and non-sensitive information. The ISP also outlines the steps that must be taken in the event of a breach, including notifying the proper authorities, conducting an investigation, and implementing corrective actions.
How DOD’s Breach Definition Differs from HHS’s
The primary difference between the DOD and HHS definitions of a breach is the scope of information covered. The HHS definition is focused solely on the unauthorized access of protected health information (PHI). This includes any information that is related to an individual’s health, including medical records, billing information, and payment information. On the other hand, the DOD definition covers any information held by the federal government, regardless of its sensitivity or the nature of the data.
Another key difference between the two definitions is the type of unauthorized access. The HHS definition of a breach applies only to unauthorized access of PHI. This means that any other type of unauthorized access, including unauthorized use or disclosure, does not fall under the HHS definition of a breach. The DOD definition, however, applies to any type of unauthorized access, use, or disclosure of any information held by the federal government.
It is important to understand the differences between the DOD and HHS definitions of a breach. While both definitions cover unauthorized access, the scope of information and type of unauthorized access covered by each definition vary. Organizations and individuals must ensure that they comply with the applicable regulations to avoid potential penalties and other consequences.
In today’s increasingly digital world, data breaches are a major risk for both individuals and businesses, alike. Data breaches can have serious effects, from financial losses to irrevocable damage to one’s reputation. As such, it is important for organizations to understand the differences between the different kinds of data breaches in order to properly protect their interests.
A breac has defined by the Department of Defense (DOD) is broader than a Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) breach (or breach defined by HHS). A breach as defined by the DoD is defined as any unauthorized acquisition, access, use or disclosure of personally identifiable information. This includes not just data protected by HIPAA, but also any other non-public or non-sensitive data, such as usernames, passwords and financial information. Furthermore, a breach under the DoD’s definition must inherently include intent and maliciousness – the acquisition or access of the data must be done by an individual or entity outside of the organization who either intentionally or unintentionally gained access or took control of the data. In contrast, HIPAA’s breach definition does not contain any references to intent and maliciousness; instead, it considers any unintended access, use or disclosure of protected health information (PHI) to be a breach.
Due to the differences in definitions and the breadth of the DoD’s definition, organizations and individuals should be aware of the potential threats posed by data breaches beyond just those that defined under HIPAA. Organizations should also take steps to strengthen their data security and privacy safeguards in order to mitigate the risks of data breaches. These steps include everything from instituting stronger access policies and encryption practices to regularly training employees on how to appropriately handle sensitive data.
In conclusion, it is important for organizations to recognize the differences between the breach definitions of the DoD and HHS and adequately protect their sensitive data from potential breaches. With a better understanding of these differences, organizations and individuals can then take the necessary steps to protect their data and ensure the security of their information.
